Sri Lanka unleashes support for world class porcelain

Sri Lanka has begun boosting its world class porcelain, glass and red-clay industry segments with a host of new initiatives -and has also realised that the red-clay sector that is now surging as a result of next year’s Asbestos ban, packs considerable promise for the economy.

“Sri Lanka’s clay and quartz are of high quality and our ceramic and glass products are not damaged easily” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the 14th AGM of Sri Lanka Ceramics and Glass Council on 15 September at Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. Joining the event were Managing Director & CEO of Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC and President of the Sri Lanka Ceramic & Glass Council (SLCGC) Sanjay Tiwari and nearly 100 reps from the ceramics, glass and red-clay industries of Sri Lanka.

“Though the total ceramics and glass exports last year showed a decline to $ 50 million from 2015’s $61 Million it looks to be temporary since this was the first time that it has dropped to a such level. The ministry completed surveys to find clay and other mineral deposits in the Western and Central Province and the surveys were successful. It is also working to developWith the support of National Engineering Research and Development (NERD) Centre Sri Lanka’s first roof tile drying centre was set up in Dankotuwa. 30 Lankan red clay industrialists were sent for technological training to Belgium and China.”

Unlike many other ceramics and porcelains produced elsewhere in the world, Sri Lankan made porcelain are considered world class -well within lead and cadmium release standards of FDA of USA, with ISO 9001:2000 certifications, and microwave/oven/washing machine resistant. Sri Lankan industry even produces the “bone china” tableware –considered as the most expensive ceramics in the world; Sri Lanka’s premium ceramic outputs are coveted by many globally reputed brands, among them are Royal Doulton, John Lewis, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Walmart, and Macy’s. Among the globally-known and long established Sri Lankan porcelain brands are Noritake Lanka (tableware), Midaya (handmades & ornamantalware), Dankotuwa (porcelain tableware). Noritake Lanka Porcelain (Private) Ltd is in fact the Sri Lankan operation (consolidated subsidiary) of Nagoya Japan headquartered world’s number one tableware maker, Noritake Co. Ltd.